Swimming & Diving Make a Splash to Finish Patriot Invitational

Saturday, November 19

Fairfax, Va.

All Day

Florida Atlantic

Patriot Invite

Swimming & Diving Make a Splash to Finish Patriot Invitational

11/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving

Nov. 19, 2016

Norfolk, Va. -

Patriot Invitational Final Results

Florida Atlantic University swimming and diving went out with a splash at George Mason's Patriot Invitational as the men finished sixth and the women took seventh with 512.50 and 182 points, respectively. On the final day of competition, numerous swimmers saw lifetime bests and top performances were seen by many including the men's and women's 400-yard freestyle relay teams, Kelsey Witkay, Julia Alberti, Alex Taber, John Nolte and Michael Rahrig.

Coach's Quote

"Today, more than ever, I am proud to be an Owl," said Head Swimming and Diving Coach Lara Preacco. "I am honored to be a part of such a program with incredibly dedicated swimmers, divers and coaches. Today, I want to thank everyone on this team for believing in hard work, a positive attitude and the relentless will to succeed; you have made this weekend at the Patriot Invitational an unforgettable experience."

Making A Splash

Men

The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Connor Smoak, Cole Wisecarver, John Brennock and Nolte put the pedal to the metal as they captured second with a time of 3:00.85.
Alex Taber's career-best time of 1:49.92 in the 200-yard backstroke earned him fifth place in the "A" final. Christian Pineiro also set a new personal best in the "B" final taking third in 1:50.78.
With one of his best swims of the meet, senior Nolte came in second in the 100-yard freestyle "A" final (45.20). John Brennock saw a new lifetime best time of 45.72, which was good for eighth place. Colin Kozak also set a career best with a time of 46.96 in the "C" final to take third place.
Matthew Menendez surpassed his lifetime best in the 1650-yard freestyle by more than 16 seconds with an impressive time of 16:34.85, which was good for 16^th
Michael Rahrig swam in the 200-yard butterfly "A" final and came away with a fifth place finish (1:51.34). Aaron Spence swam in the "C" final and set a new best time in the event of 1:55.44.

Women

In the preliminary time trials, Kelsey Witkay set a new FAU Freshman record in the 100-yard IM after putting up a time of 1:00.97.
Julia Alberti had a top-ten finish in the 1650-yard freestyle earning sixth with a time of 17:27.50.
With a first-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke "B" final, Hannah Roper was the Owls' top finisher with a time of 2:19.70.
Melanie Doan represented the Owls well in the "C" final of the 100-yard freestyle with a third-place finish and a lifetime best time of 52.92.
Veteran Kyleigh Firman was tops in the 200-yard butterfly "C" final with a personal best time of 2:08.19.
The Owls were really on their game in the 400-yard freestyle relay as Lydia Musleh, Roper, Doan and Emily Summa swam a 3:33.87 to claim 11^th.

Up Next

The Owls will get back to work and train for their next meet on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 4:30 p.m. when they will host Denver and William & Mary at the FAU Aquatic Center.